Monday, June 27, 2011

Hope for Joplin

If you've been following us for a while you might remember "Uncle Dan Dan". Daniel Wermuth is a great friend of our family. He is a fellow medic who worked with Jeff in 2-17 FA from 2007-2011 including a deployment to Afghanistan. He lived with us in Washington up until we PCSed to Campbell. In that time he became a part of our family, a permanent piece to our puzzle.

[He and Jack spent many days singing and playing together]

Dan is from Joplin, Missouri. And how could anyone forget the devestation that ripped through his hometown a short time ago. Dan was able to be put on emergency leave from the Army to go home for 2 weeks ASAP after the tornado hit. His dad is a pastor there and the Wermuth family has been a major part of the relief efforts there. In those two weeks Dan was home.. they helped 3500 families and served 20,000 meals. But of course, Dan had to return to Fort Lewis, Washington. His leave was up.

The brotherhood of medics that 2-17 FA has, is a strong one. These guys never hesitate when one of them is in need, be it big or small. Jeff and I feel very blessed to have been a part of that family. Not missing a beat, they have stepped up to help out Dan.

Dan and 8 other medics are giving up their 4th of July leave to fly to Joplin, MO and do whatever they can to help out with the relief there.

How awesome is that?

See a news video about it here

So this week, I'm just asking you to pray for Joplin. To pray for the safe flight of these guys, pray that God will help show them how they can help when they get there, pray for the people of Joplin.. Dan's family.

This weekend, these soldiers could be BBQing and watching fireworks with their families celebrating our country's independence, which they have fought for! But instead they are giving all that up, because they know there's work to be done in Joplin and they want to help.

P.S. If you'd like to help fund these soldiers' flights to Missouri please visit the website JFWC.ORG or HOPE4JOPLIN.ORG for more information. You could also call the Joplin Family Worship Center at 417-291-9156.